The ASEAN Secretariat received numerous visitors during the year. A large portion of the group visits consisted of university students which totalled 439. They received briefings and hand-outs on the multifarious ASEAN activities and projects. in addition a number of professional groups visited the Secretariat.

As in the past, the ASEAN Secretariat hosted a celebration-cum-reception to commemorate ASEAN Day on 8 August, 1983. Friendly competitions in sports and games among nationals of the embassies of ASEAN member countries and dialogue partners were held as part of the celebration. On the auspicious occasion of the admission of Brunei Darussalam on 7 January, 1984, the ASEAN Secretariat was the venue of the ceremony and the scene was one of much joy and happiness. The Secretariat was also used for several meetings and gatherings.

The year under review saw the appointments of new officers to the posts of Directors for Economic and Social Cultural Affairs, Public Information Officer and those of the remaining three economic officers.

The Secretary General acted as Secretary to all the ASEAN Task Force meetings as well as performing the duty of secretary to the various ministerial meetings held during the year. The Officers also took part actively in ASEAN meetings held in Jakarta and abroad. Newsletters were also published and circulated by the ASEAN Secretariat.

The Secretary General also participated in a number of activities outside the purview of ordinary ASEAN affairs. Upon the invitation of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, the Secretary General participated at the Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference held in Bali, Indonesia, in November 1983. Upon the invitation of the International Herald Tribune to a conference held in Washington D.C. in January 1984, he delivered a paper on "Northern Trade Policy and Southern Debt Crisis". Likewise he attended the 19th conference of SEAMEO held in Bangkok in February 1984 during which ASEAN's activities in education, social and health matters in relation to SEAMEO projects were discussed. As he was in Tokyo for a JACPP programme, he took the opportunity to attend the 40th Session of ESCAP which considered various economic issues relevant to the developing countries. He visited Santiago, Chile and Quito, Ecuador, upon the invitation of the Chilean Government on behalf of the Southern Pacific Permanent Commission.